Midnight Dream - Instrumental. Track 6 ’Dark Side Of The Night’ ...

DARK SIDE OF THE NIGHT - CD review.
By Geoffrey Bennett in Musicians Together Magazine. February 2012.

Last time we suggested you listen to Kenna – McGuinness at speed, along any motorway with the hood down. The serving suggestion for Dark Side of the Night is no different but we advise headlights at full beam and a full tank of whatever keeps you going.
It seems odd to say that this is an eclectic mix when in truth we are listening to one genre of music but Wanman & Floyd are not just ‘rock’ musicians. They will lead you into sub-plots that would baffle the bard!

Wheels of Steel is the epitome of sub-plots with McGuinness & Kenna running two leads, both with powerful counterparts shadowing then complimenting throughout the piece. A kind of ‘duelling banjos’ on speed with the bass somehow refereeing to ensure the wildest of bouts. What always amazes me is how no matter how complex the piece you still pick out the action of each instrument. Which makes me wonder if Wanman – Floyd should be on every school curriculum to train ears to listen!

Mr. Nobody’s opening puts me in mind of ‘Taggart’, its harsh entry bars reminiscent of that grainy T.V. thriller. Yet this ‘No Mean City’ could be a reflection of Dublin rather than Glasgow. The lead, bass and percussion all leading us to make our own conclusions.
In lining up two instrumentals, the boys
are hoping their ‘instrumental’ following is as good as the vocal fans but hey!
The music speaks for itself.

Steel Blues. After a miasmic intro, a cracking rhythm leads
us to the inimitable vocals of Tony Floyd Kenna. His aggressive bass and diabolic vocals tell us where is not safe to tread. This is not a companion to walk the street with. No hush-puppies on these feet…..what does fit a cloven hoof? No this passerby would more likely gob fire in your face so be warned, stand in listening
distance but not spitting distance! I’m always impressed that these vocals can
not only be heard but also understood. Yet again the guitar is not left in
tacit attendance as Joe matches the vocal with vociferous metal and punk!

Astral Funk does what it says on the tin. The twisted sounds disperse into a cracking rhythm that gives way to a powerful lead above, the funk below. Another example of the width of sound Joe can produce. Tony comes in with a sturdy bass, wisely avoiding falling into the funk and possible oblivion.

Bought and Sold. This track shows the social awareness of Wanman & Floyd. Every city has it gloss or garish charm but onlystreets away is poverty and shame. Listen carefully to the words and look at your own lives. A heavy beat, powerful lead and pulsating bass surround the message in Tony’s compelling vocal.
This is possibly the darker side of the compilation!

Midnight Dream. With the Dark comes the night and with the night the sweetest dreams but not with this duo! Normally my dreams become nightmares only as the oxygen starvation sets in. Not so here. The minute you hit the pillow the banshees are onto you. Tony’s bass can only be described as threatening and persistent. The ‘voices’, provided by Joe, scream into your sub-conscience and won’t let up even at the end but I’m not giving that away! Try listening with ’phones, in company and watch the look of concern on your friends’ faces as you react to this.

Good Times Coming. ‘Can you see the light Joe?’ asks Tony in this smooth and
light spot in the dark. A brief respite in the abyss. a gentle bass and vocal interspersed with sharp and pure, Joe.

Flat Cat Moan. Beautiful classic rock based on a true experience! I think these guys and I share a fixation for ladies on bikes ringing our bells! The words are humorous though perhaps not to cat lovers! I love the way Joe drives into this one. A fast piece with little thought for road safety!

Midnight Dream #9. Another powerful combination of guitar and bass as we are taken through three different ‘dreamscapes’ The first is a thought I share, ‘At what age do we become invisible?’ the second, perhaps related in a way to the first, deals with ‘rejection’ and finally ‘self assessment.’ It needs to be a really special mirror to see into our minds. I love the way the instruments and vocals flow together through this.
Street Scenes. A true collage of sounds of the street. One can imagine walking through any city and hearing the traffic, the sirens, the footsteps, that sax player on the corner – yes I said ‘Sax’. The bass comes through almost strolling amidst the collage of sound.

Mother. I sense the sound of a heartbeat in this as Tony traces all the sentiments that go into our relationship with the woman who gave us life. ‘Can you hear me calling’ could be a cry from the womb. Joe’s guitar gives me the feeling of frustration, pain and anguish we inflict on that woman throughout our lives.
..
Perhaps this has been a lengthy but not technically explicit review of ‘Dark
Side of Night’ but when I listen to the music of McGuinness & Kenna, I
feel a deep relationship with the men and their instruments. Listen yourselves
and let me know what it does for you.
Geoff Bennett.
Tony’s MT page – http://musicianstogether.com/user/Tony%20Floyd%20Kenna
Joe’s MT page – http://musicianstogether.com/user/wanman%20shau
Geoffree’s MT page – http://musicianstogether.com/user/Geoffree
Wanman & Floyd webpage, itunes links etc. http://breakingtunes.com/wanmanfloydlightsideofthedark